GUJRAT: A local PTI worker was seriously injured allegedly in the firing by the guards of a PML-Q leader when the charged party workers surrounded their vehicles during a demonstration against “rigging” in polls at Kutchehry Chowk here on Friday evening.

The local PTI workers took out a rally in protest against alleged rigging in Feb 8 elections and marched towards the office of the district returning officer (DRO).

The rally, led byPTI leaders Qaisera Elahi and her sister Sameera Elahi, stopped at Kutchehry Chowk, where the participants staged a sit-in and chanted slogans against what they called manipulation of the election results of NA-64 and other constituencies in Gujrat district.

The situation turned ugly when a convoy of vehicles bearing posters of some PML-Q leaders, passed through the protest venue and enraged PTI workers surrounded the vehicles, chanting slogans against the alleged rigging and in favour of the party founder Imran Khan.

Fearing attack on the convoy, some armed guards came out of the vehicles and started firing to disperse the protesters, eyewitnesses said.

As a result, a PTI worker, identified as Furqan Haneef of Marghzar Colony, sustained a bullet in his stomach.

Some of the PTI workers pelted the convoy with stones when the armed men boarded the vehicles and were leaving the scene.

The injured worker was shifted to the Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital where his condition is said to be critical.

Later, PTI leader Sameera Elahi informed the police about the firing incident, upon which the police reached the spot and started investigation.

Police say they have yet to register a case.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2024